SINDHUPALCHOK, Jan 11: The construction work of Tatopani border checkpoint is under full swing and aims to come into operation from the month of May. The checkpoint used to transact the business of around Rs 20 billion in a single day which is now out of service following the mega earthquake of April 25, 2015.
To resume the checkpoint, the construction of roads and bridges is under full swing which was hazardously destroyed by the earthquake in the beginning and year after by the landslides and floods caused by Bhotekoshi River. Around 200 workers are deployed in the reconstruction of infrastructures such as roads, bridges and the construction work is at the final phase. ‘The construction work starts from 6 am and continues till 10 pm’ informed Police Inspector Hira Mahara from Border Police Post, Kodari.
Tatopani border checkpoint to remain open from today
Miteri Bridge that links Nepal with China now has been widened to 12 meters from 8 meters. Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara laid the foundation of the bridge during his visit to China. Also, the highly damaged section of 30 kilometers road from Jambu to Liping Bazaar along the Arniko Highway has been given high priority for its reconstruction.
The construction of dry-port before four kilometers to the checkpoint is also at the final phase. After completion of bridge construction at Bhotekoshi, the dry-port will come under operation whereas the necessary equipments for the construction of bridge have already reached the site.
Resumption of the check-point raised doubts after the destructive earthquake and flood of Bhotekoshi completely damaged the highway linking Nepal with China. Also, China raising the issue of security threatened the re-operation of check-point. But, with the regular diplomatic approach from Nepali side finally managed China for the agreement. Thus, according to the agreement, China will complete the task of reconstruction within the month of May along with the dry-port and then will hand over it to the government of Nepal.
